The Sworn Sword

They carried the water to the tub, and Dunk pulled his tunic over his head. ""I will wear my Dornish tunic to Coldmoat"". It was sandsilk, the finest garment that he owned, painted with his elm and falling star.

""If you wear it for the ride it will get all sweaty, ser"", Egg said. ""Wear the one you wore today. I'll bring the other, and you can change when you reach the castle"".

"" Before I reach the castle. I'd look a fool, changing clothes on the drawbridge. And who said you were coming with me?""

""A knight is more impressive with a squire in attendance"".

That was true. The boy had a good sense of such things. He should. He served two years as a page at King's Landing. Even so, Dunk was reluctant to take him into danger. He had no notion what sort of welcome awaited him at Coldmoat. If this Red Widow was as dangerous as they said, he could end up in a crow cage, like those two men they had seen upon the road. ""You will stay and help Bennis with the smallfolk"", he told Egg. ""And don't give me that sullen look"".

He kicked his breeches off, and climbed into the tub of steaming water. ""Go on and get to sleep now, and let me have my bath. You're not going, and that's the end of it"".

Egg was up and gone when Dunk awoke, with the light of the morning sun in his face. Gods be good, how can it be so hot so soon? He sat up and stretched, yawning, then climbed to his feet and stumbled sleepily down to the well, where he lit a fat tallow candle, splashed some cold water on his face, and dressed.

When he stepped out into the sunlight, Thunder was waiting by the stable, saddled and bridled. Egg was waiting, too, with Maester his mule.

The boy had put his boots on. For once he looked a proper squire, in a handsome doublet of green and gold checks and a pair of tight white woolen breeches. ""The breeches were torn in the seat, but Sam Stoops' wife sewed them up for me"", he announced.

""The clothes were Addam's"", said Ser Eustace, as he led his own gray gelding from his stall.

A chequy lion adorned the frayed silk cloak that flowed from the old man's shoulders. ""The doublet is a trifle musty from the trunk, but it should serve. A knight is more impressive with a squire in attendance, so I have decided that Egg should accompany you to Coldmoat"".

Outwitted by a boy of ten. Dunk looked at Egg and silently mouthed the words clout in the ear . The boy grinned.

""I have something for you as well, Ser Duncan. Come"".